For all the talk of the CivilWars administration with their scandalous behavior.Their struggles haunted the president and moved him to avoid tactic...
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reviews
Dec 03, 2008
Lynn
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With the coming bicentennial of Lincoln's birth on February 12, 2009, I looked forward to reading this book. I orginally believed it would spotlight the courtship and relationship between Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Actually, the book described the geneology of Mary Todd in detail(she had fourteen siblings) and highlighted each battle of the Civil War. I did learn a great deal from this book. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about Lexington, Kentucky, the city where I grew up. I would r
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Aug 10, 2011
George
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Fascinating look at Mary Todd Lincoln's family, who exemplified the division between North and South that must have touched many American families during the Civil War. Because of her position, her family ended up in the public eye much more than others. Interesting descriptions of the corruption that occurred on both sides in that most uncivil of American eras.
Jan 28, 2012
Martha
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I liked this book b/c of all the information about the Todds & there is lots of info about them. Many were not very likeable, esp. the older male siblings of Mary's. I found it dry as someone else mentioned, mostly in the battle descriptions. I did not like the author's take on Robert Todd Lincoln ... that he had his mother committed b/c he probably was tired of dealing with her. I doubt that was the case, but perhaps I need to read more books about all of them. These people WERE Lincoln's famil
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May 05, 2009
Crystal
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What I didn't like about the book: too many people to keep track of, a bit dry in places, some tangential information.
What I liked about it: good thoughts on unity. Berry uses Lincoln's own extended family as a metaphor for a nation divided by war. Allows us to ponder how we can better navigate complicated times to work for unity and peace, both in our personal relationships as well as nationally and globally.
What I liked about it: good thoughts on unity. Berry uses Lincoln's own extended family as a metaphor for a nation divided by war. Allows us to ponder how we can better navigate complicated times to work for unity and peace, both in our personal relationships as well as nationally and globally.
Mar 27, 2009
Matt
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via audiobook, related the familial struggles between Lincoln and the Todds, giving further insight into the Civil War era and Lincoln's life.
While not very exciting, I like Lincoln and will be looking for more books re: Abe. I get the feeling there are more direct ways of learning about him.
While not very exciting, I like Lincoln and will be looking for more books re: Abe. I get the feeling there are more direct ways of learning about him.
Mar 16, 2009
Sherri
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This book tells the story of Mary Todd and her extended family. I learned so much from their struggles as a family and felt for them as they tried to deal with the Civil War and it's effects on their family ties. I also gained a greater respect and appreciation for Abraham Lincoln.
Dec 17, 2008
Frances
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The tragic history of Mary Todd Lincoln's family torn apart by the Civil War. This study of the Todd family gives insight into Mary Lincoln's background and personality. Kentucky was a state torn apart by the war and this family was one of the many that suffered this sorrow.
Aug 14, 2009
Easy to read, but sometimes the language was not 19th century. He padded the book with long scenes of battle. He put thoughts & feelings into the minds of people that were not documented. He stretched the family parallel.
Aug 26, 2010
Suzanne
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Interesting overall, although the author has an annoying habit of stating opinion as fact. Also throws some tantalizing tidbits- Mary was in the habit of hitting Abraham with a piece of wood- without
elaborating in the least.
elaborating in the least.
Dec 08, 2009
Elsa
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I found this to be a great overview of Lincoln's in-laws, and it gave some interesting insight into Abe and Mary's relationship. She was quite a character, and their dynamic is oddly intriguing. It was well-written, and actually a real page-turner.
May 13, 2009
Allysmom
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Lots of information on the Todd family and their roles during the Civil War. Goes into detail about how Lincoln's marriage to a Todd put lots of strain on their relationship and his presidency.
Aug 16, 2009
Ivah
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Interesting perspective of Lincoln within the context of Mary Todd Lincoln's very large family which was itself divided by the Civil War.
Oct 05, 2009
Judy
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We chose this for our book group because it's the common reading at the local community college and this is Lincoln's bicentennial year. Besides, it focuses alot on Kentucky! I was fascinated by the many paralells between the Todds and the nation at war. This was truly a family at war with itself. Berry's descriptions of life in Lexington in Mary Todd's early years are priceless. I felt it bogged down a bit toward the end, although that might not be true for Civil War buffs.
Mar 02, 2009
Marion1961hs
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The Todds turned out to be not a good thing for old Abe. Why did he ever marry her? Finished the book because I had started it. Didn't think it was that well written.
Oct 24, 2010
Patricia
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Doing this on book tape. Mary Todd Lincoln was one of 14 kids...unbelievable!
Jan 28, 2010
Jessica
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This was a fairly interesting book--I have always been fascinated by Abraham Lincoln and I learned a lot about him and his wife's family from this book. I had no idea that half of Mary Todd Lincoln's siblings fought for the Confederacy and half for the Union. The book was an excellent illustration of the divisions that faced many families during the course of the Civil War.
A bit long-winded in places, but interesting overall.
A bit long-winded in places, but interesting overall.
Oct 23, 2008
Carol
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It was an interesting read. It was about the family connection of the Lincolns and Todds. I had not read much about Mary's family. What a cast of characters. What a dilemma it was to have family on both sides during the Civil War. I had not realized Mary had so many siblings. How does that old saying go..."you can pick your friends, but not your family." Like I said, what a cast of characters.
Nov 28, 2011
Leigh Ann
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I don't read much Non-fiction, but I started this book a week ago and couldn't put it down. It's a very different look at Lincoln, through the eyes of his in-laws the Todds. It's a family history of the Todds, where Lincoln fit in and how this played out in the Civil War. These were two families on two sides of a major issue. As easy read, and very interesting historically.
Dec 25, 2009
Emjay
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The American Civil War divided families and nearly crippled our nation. One family divided was the 14 children of Richard and Margaret Todd, Abraham Lincoln's in-laws. This is a fascinating study of a family raised in a slave society, some of whom moved west to Illinois and sided with the Union.
Jan 16, 2008
Amy
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Although somewhat dry reading, this book is intriguing, but I would recommend reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Team of Rivals, first because House of Abraham truly gives new meaning to "team of rivals".
Jun 16, 2008
Jenny
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A quick and interesting read that shows the Lincoln/ Todd divide was a metaphor for the whole Civil War.
Jan 13, 2012
Thea
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Enjoyed reading about Lincoln's other half, polor opposite from him, LOL
Jan 22, 2012
